The package insert states that the shaker pane cover is heat resistent, so you are able to stamp on it, use embossing powder, and melt the powder. I had to foresight to do a test run on a sheet of clear acetate that I had in my stash. If you try this, be careful not to apply too much heat, as the acetate will warp and melt, unlike the piece that’s included with the shaker pane kit. I first had a problem trying to get good coverage of ink that would take the embossing powder. I tried using Memento, and then Versafine black ink pads. I like to stamp in black and then emboss in clear. That way, if there is any stray embossing powder, you don’t really see it. I usually do this, rather than stamping in clear embossing ink (like VersaMark) and using black embossing powder. It usually works great on paper. Also, to add complexity to the task, the image that I wanted to use was on a wood mounted rubber stamp. I’ve really gotten used to using a stamping platform (Misti) where you can stamp again if you miss a spot. With a wood block, you only get one chance at a perfect stamping!

Next I tried StayzOn black ink with detail black embossing powder. I used my embossing powder duster first to make sure the embossing powder didn’t cling where it wasn’t supposed to. This is my favorite smelling ink pad for sure! It is an older pad, and I didn’t have a reinker, so the image was too light and dried too fast to get the embossing powder to stick. I then tried VersaMark embossing ink with detail black embossing powder. This gave me the best results in my test run. I was ready to try it on the one piece that comes with the shaker panes. It came out okay, but I am the ultimate perfectionist! I made sure my ink pad was refilled, and nice and juicy… maybe too juicy. The image was a little blurred. I’ll warn you that I find stamping on acetate or anything shiny reminds me of trying to sew slippery fabric. It will move. It’s inevitable! Don’t expect perfection! But do your best to expect movement when you’re stamping liquid ink onto a slippery paper. Use a stamping platform if you can. Be deliberate with your stamping. Make sure your stamp has good ink coverage, but not too much, before you stamp.

The Happy Birthday shaker pane cover was pretty good, so I was going to use it. When I put some sequins in the shaker, I decided that you couldn’t really see the impecfections, but also, you couldn’t really see the sentiment anymore! I changed my mind about my design. I got a piece of white cardstock, stamped in black Versafine ink, embossed in detail clear embossing power, and put it behind the shaker pane. That’s better! That looks good to me!

I turned this quick shaker card, made incredibly easy by the Sizzix Shaker Panes, into a long, drawn out learning experience! But hey, that’s what it’s about some times. You need to experiment to see what works for you, in your environment, with your products. I’ll definitely pick up a StayzOn reinker, and more clear acetate to practice on. I also will get some cling stamp backing foam so I can replace the wood block for this stamp, and turn it into a cling stamp. This will let me use it with my Misti stamping platform.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Stay crafty!

Scrappy Shak products used:
Spellbinders Simply Perfect Layered Blooms
Sizzix Shaker Panes – Circle
Sizzix Framelits Circle Frames